Ruben Amorim told Manchester United to re-sign £18m striker before his sacking

Ruben Amorim urged Manchester United to sign a new striker in the January transfer window with Danny Welbeck on his list of favoured options, according to reports.

United opted to sack Amorim last week and have appointed Michael Carrick as head coach for the remainder of the season.

Before his departure, Amorim had indicated that United’s hierarchy had changed their plans for the January transfer window, and the club are now unlikely to strengthen the squad unless one of their long-term midfield targets is made available.

According to Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett, United will not change their transfer plans due to Carrick’s arrival, while Amorim was adamant that his squad needed another new striker in order to boost their bid to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Brighton striker Welbeck, who United sold to Arsenal for £18 million in 2014, was recommended by Amorim along with Crystal Palace’s Jean Philippe-Mateta, who is wanted by Juventus.

‘Manchester United will not change their transfer policy or their plans for January just because there is going to be a new man in charge of the first team,’ Dorsett said.

‘United never wanted to spend any money in January, their plan was always to spend big in the summer, and focus entirely on central defensive midfield players, maybe even two of them, with Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Joao Gomes at the top of their potential hitlist.

‘They don’t want to spend any money in January that could impact the amount of funds they have available to spend in the summer.

‘My understanding is Michael Carrick hasn’t requested any further reinforcements in January from what will be his new bosses at Old Trafford, certainly hasn’t made any demands.

‘Although it is significant to point out that whilst it wasn’t the crucial factor that led to the sacking of Ruben Amorim a week ago, there was a difference of opinion between Amorim and his bosses here, Jason Wilcox, the director of football, in particular, about whether they should strengthen in January because they are just outside the Champions League places.

‘Amorim was keen on getting more attacking options – he likes Jean Philippe-Mateta, he likes Danny Welbeck at Brighton as well.

‘But United were never going to sanction any more attacking moves, any more attacking players being brought in when they spent almost £200 million on three attacking players on three attacking players in the summer, and also because Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are expected to return this week.

‘With all that in mind, no, Manchester United are not planning to spend big in January, no, Carrick hasn’t asked for any reinforcements. That’s not to say they won’t do any business at all. It’s been made clear to me if there is a long-term target who United have had, who becomes available in January at the right price, they will make a move for him, but certainly the changing of the head coach will make no difference to the chase of new transfers.’

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